Pochettino's Future with USMNT in Doubt

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States national team, acknowledged that his squad did not perform to their potential during the heavy 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, stating that the opponent was better and deserved to advance. He said, "We did not show our true quality as a team, we did not get into the game, and it was a very bad day for us both collectively and individually."

Pochettino added that Malik Tillman's equalizing goal did not provide the momentum his team needed, as the USMNT conceded a quick goal immediately afterward, which he considered a crucial turning point in the match, noting that such mistakes cannot happen in knockout games.

The Argentine coach refused to blame the pre-match controversy surrounding Florin Balogun for the elimination, emphasizing that the team was not at the required level, stating, "We do not need to look for excuses; what happened off the pitch did not affect us, we simply were not good enough."

Regarding his future, Pochettino clarified that his contract ends after the World Cup, and no decision has been made about his continuation, adding that he will take a break before meeting with the US Soccer Federation to make the right decision. Despite the exit, he stressed his pride in what the team achieved over the past year, considering that they have laid a strong foundation for the future and just need to continue developing.